THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, June 7, 1994 TAG: 9406070464
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: D1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MIKE MATHER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: 940607 LENGTH: VIRGINIA BEACH
Two firefighters escaped serious injury when a wall collapsed and flames billowed over them as they cut ventilation holes in the roof of J.B.'s Gallery of Girls in the 600 block of South Military Highway.
{REST} Other firefighters were inside and on the roof when the ceiling began caving in, fire spokesman Chase Sargent said.
``When the roof failed, they bailed off,'' Sargent said. ``The ceiling began collapsing inside and everyone was ordered out. At that point, we went to a totally defensive mode.''
Chesapeake firefighters, called to help, were on a ladder propped against the building's northeast side when the north wall collapsed. A huge ball of fire rolled out of the building and over the firefighters. One jumped or fell off the ladder and the other went down the ladder. They were not seriously hurt and continued to fight the blaze.
``We were very lucky that we didn't kill anybody on that corner,'' Sargent said. ``They set up exactly where they were supposed to, and that saved their lives.''
A cause of the three-hour fire has not been determined, but investigators said it is unusual for a daytime fire to get so big so quickly. Arson investigators were still picking through the rubble late Monday.
The victim was found in an office in the rear of the building. Because his body was so badly burned, an autopsy will be needed to confirm his identity. Police said investigators believe the victim was the manager, but could not say with certainty.
Because the body was not positively identified, police did not release a name. But employees said they were certain the victim was the manager. He was apparently alone in the building when the fire started.
Through the morning and afternoon, employees and friends filled the neighboring parking lot. They sobbed and clung to each other, and comforted the manager's wife.
``This is terrible, so terrible,'' said a dancer who asked that her name not be used. ``He was the nicest man you would ever want to know.''
The fire was reported about 10:30 a.m. When firefighters arrived, smoke was heavy and flames had broken through parts of the roof. Firefighters went inside and found the victim, but the intense heat forced them from the building.
Because of renovations, gaps and spaces were left in the building's false ceiling, Sargent said. The fire spread through those gaps, making the blaze difficult to attack.
If the fire turns out to be arson, it would be the second intentionally set blaze to hit a J.B.'s Gallery of Girls in less than two years. On Nov. 18, 1992, the J.B.'s in the Witchduck Shopping Center was damaged by an arsonist after arguments between the bar's employees and the owner of a neighboring business.
Anyone with information about the Military Highway fire is asked to call 427-0000.
{KEYWORDS} FIRE SUSPICIOUS FATALITY
by CNB